Share this with

This week will be freezing with some parts of Britain dropping to as low as -11C overnight.

For most of us, this means wearing an extra layer or a warmer coat as we travel to work.

But for thousands of people sleeping rough up and down the country, it can prove deadly.

Every night, thousands of young people risk their lives trying to find a place to sleep (Picture: Getty Images)

A doorway and a duvet is no escape from the bitter cold (Picture: Wenn)

Every time it gets this cold, homeless people put their lives on the line just trying to last the night.

It’s only natural to want to help by giving them loose change or a hot drink and some food.

But what they really need is a place to get out of the cold, and you do this by alerting homelessness charity StreetLink.

StreetLink

Advertisement

Advertisement

StreetLink volunteers can help homeless families and children get the help they need from local authorities and get them a roof over their heads.

They look for rough sleepers every night, making contact and offering them a place to stay.

Give the charity details about when and where you saw them, so they know where to go on their patrols.

It’s extremely cold now with #uksnow in places. Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated in London and other parts of country, setting up extra emergency provision. Take action – alert us through our website or app if you see someone #roughsleeping. pic.twitter.com/x8jpiLrOkH

Thousands of young people need help getting off the streets this winter (Picture: Getty)

The scheme is funded by charities including St Mungo’s, and cold periods are an important time for a reminder.

StreetLink operates across England and Wales, so you can get in touch with them about rough sleepers anywhere in these two countries.

To make a report, give as much detail as possible about what the person looked like and the place where you saw them to help the outreach teams find them.

Your report could lead to a homeless person getting a warm bed for the night and allow them to receive long-term support back into accommodation and work.

How to contact StreetLink

You can find them via their website here, download their app on your iPhone or Android. Making an online referral allows StreetLink to process it more efficiently and reach the homeless person more quickly. When you can’t report in-app or online, call their 24-hour hotline on 0300 500 0914.

*In Scotland, local authorities are obliged to house homeless people that same day. Because of this, rough sleepers are dealt with on a town or city-by-city basis. Shelter has published a list of organisations you can contact for help depending on where in Scotland you are.

Want to provide more long-term support?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Centrepoint is urging people to donate £18 this winter to give a young homeless person a warm, safe room, hot meal and support in rebuilding their life.

Centrepoint

If you know a young person who might be a at risk of homelessness, you can call Centrepoint’s helpline for free on 0808 800 0661 or pass on the number to them.

It’s available for any young person aged 16-25 and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin said: ‘When you have no place to call home, finding a safe and warm place to spend the night can be a frightening and lonely experience.

‘Every night, thousands of young people risk their lives trying to find a place to sleep and it’s simply unacceptable.

‘No one should have to make such decisions, especially when temperatures start to plummet.’

Shelter

Shelter gives homeless people the vital helpline advice and services they need to help them keep their homes.